Stanchion



United States Patent Oice 3,494,301 Patented Feb. 10, 1970 3,494,301STANCHION Henry Sause, Jr., 3829 NE. Flanders, Portland, Oreg. 97232Filed Oct. 23, 1967, Ser. No. 677,120 Int. Cl. B63b 25/28,` B61d 45/00;B601: 7/ 08 U.S. Cl. S-369 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Astanchion to aid in securing a load on the deck of a cargo vessel. Thestanchion includes a mounting secured to the deck, an upright columnresting on the mounting, a pivotal connection between the column andmounting accommodating laying down of the column on the deck, and aremovable locking pin spaced from the pivoted connection releasablysecuring the column in its upright position. The column has a hollowbody through which a load-securing chain may extend, and a chain anchoris adjacent the base of the column for securing an end of such chain. Achain stowage box is adjacent the top of the column for stowing acollapsed expanse of chain.

This invention relates to a stanchion to aid in securing a load on asurface such as the deck of a barge or other vessel.

A general object of this invention is to provide a novel stanchionnormally projecting upwardly from a support surface such as the deck ofa cargo vessel, to aid in securing a load on the deck. The stanchion iseasily released from its upright position, allowing it to be laid downto provide greater access to the deck on loading the vessel. Suchpositioning of the stanchion also reduces wind resistance on movement ofthe vessel with no load thereon.

More specifically, an object is to provide a stanchion which includes anelongated, upright column resting on and pivotally connected to amounting secured to the deck, with the pivotal connection therebetweenproviding a substantially horizontal pivotal axis about which the columnmay be swung to lay it down.v

Another object of the invention is to provide such a novel stanchionwhich may be removed easily from the vessel.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a stanchion to aidin securing a load on the deck of a vessel, which includes a hollowcolumn through which a reach of a load-securing chain may extend. A chinanchor for securing an end of such chain is provided adjacent the baseof the column, and an aperture is also provided through which the chainmay extend out from the column.

A related object is the provision of a novel chain stowage box in thestanchion, for stowing a portion of such chain in a collapsed state.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a novel stanchionwhich a side of the load carried on the deck of the vessel may be placedagainst, with the stanchion then providing support against side-shiftingof the load.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become morefully apparent as the following description is read in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bow of a cargo vessel with stanchionconstructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention disposedin rows along the port and starboard sides of the vessel;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevation view of a stanchion, taken generallyalong the line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the stanchion of FIG. 2, taken generallyalong the line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged top plan view of the stanchion, taken generallyalong the line 4-4 in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the stanchion takengenerally along the line 5-5 in FIG. 3 adjacent the base of thestanchion.

Referring now to the drawings, and first more particularly to FIG. l, at10 is indicated generally the bow section of a barge, also referred toas a cargo vessel, having a deck 12. The barge is illustrated floatingadjacent a dock 14 from which the barge may be loaded.

A portion of a load to be transported by the barge, such as stacks oflumber or plywood, is indicated generally at 18 stacked on the deck.Stanchions 20, constructed in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention, are disposed in opposing rows on the port and starboard sidesof the deck on opposite sides of the midline of the barge. As is seen inFIGS. l, 2, and 3, one side of load 18 is stacked in abutting contactwith the Stanchions.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, each stanchion includes a base, ormounting, 24 which is supported on and secured to deck 12. The base,when viewed from above, has the polygonal outline indicated in FIG. 5and is secured to the deck with a flat side 26 facing inboard on thebarge and substantially paralleling the longitudinal axis, or midline ofthe barge, and with a parallel, opposing, shorter side 28 facingoutboard. Sides 30, 32 of the base include end portions 30a, 32a,respectively, (which are disposed perpendicular to and join oppositeends of side 26), central portions 30h, 32h (which are diagonal to sides26, 28), and end portions 30C, 32e (which are perpendicular to and joinopposite ends of side 28). Sides 30, 32 are also refen'ed to herein assupport means. An internal brace 36 having the generally triangularoutline indicated in FIG. 5 is secured along its outer edges to theinner surfaces of the sides of the base.

End portions 30a, 32a have axially aligned holes 33, 34 (shown in dottedoutline in FIG. 5) extending therethrough at points spaced above thedeck. The axes of these holes substantially parallel the deck andlongitudinal axis of the barge. Similarly, end portions 30C, 32C haveaxially aligned holes 35, 37 extending therethrough at points spacedabove the deck.

Each stanchion further includes a hollow column, indicated generally at40, which is mounted on and projects upwardly from the base (see FIGS. 2and 3). The column comprises an elongated hollow body having asubstantially flat, vertically disposed face plate 44 forming theinboard side of the column which faces the midline of the vessel. Anaperture 45 extends through the face plate at a point intermediate itsends. A pair of side plates 46, 4S (see FIG. 3) are joined along theirspaced-apart inboard edges to opposing edges of face plate 44. Theseside plates extend in converging planes from their associated lines ofjoinder with face plate 44, toward the outboard side of the barge, andare Secured to each other along their outboard edges. Each of plates 44,46, 48 has a greater dimension across its bottom than across its top,and thus the hollow body of the column tapers progressing upwardly fromits bottom, to present the outline of a truncated pyramid. Side plates44, 46 rest on and are supported by side plates 30, 32 of the base withthe column in its upright position. Side plates 46, 48 further haveaccess holes 54 extending therethrough adjacent the bottom of thecolumn. A series of hand-grip bars 56 are secured to the side platesabout the column, at convenient elevations above the deck, to furnishhandholds for workmen 0n the barge.

Horizontally disposed web members, such as those indicated at 62, 64 inFIGS. 2 and 3, are secured to the inner surfaces of plates 44, 46, 48 tostiften the column. As is seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the web members eitherhave apertures extending therethrough (such as that indicated at 66 forweb member 62), or they extend only partially across the width of thecolumn (as does web member 64). In this way a passage is providedextending the length of and through the column, to accommodate reachesof chain used in securing a load.

Mounted on top of the truncated pyramid defined by plates 44, 46, 48 isa chain stowage box 70 (see FIGS. 2, 3, and 4). The chain stowage box isrectangular and has one vertically disposed side 70a which is alignedwith face plate 44 to present a substantially flat inboard side for thestanchion throughout its length, as is best seen in FIG. 2. Ahorizontally disposed bottom plate 72 for the chain stowage box issecured to the top edges of plates 44, 46, 48, and an aperture 74extends through this bottom plate, providing a passage through which areach of chain may pass from the chain stowage box into the hollowinterior of the column. A cover plate 76 partially encloses the top ofthe chain stowage box, which cover plate is bounded along one edge by arod 78. A notch 80 may be cut through rod 78 and the cover plate, ofsuch size as to receive a link of a chain turned on edge to provide asecuring point for the chain. The chain stowage box is adapted toreceive and store a reach of chain in its collapsed state, with thecollapsed chain resting on bottom plate 72.

Secured to the bottom of the column, adjacent its inboard side, are apair of spaced-apart downwardly projecting pivot ears 84 (see FIGS. 2,3, and 5). A pair of axially aligned holes 86 (seen in dotted outline inFIG. 5) extend through ears 84 with their axes substantially parallelingthe longitudinal axis of the vessel. With the bottom of the columnresting on base 24, pivot ears 84 straddle end portions 30a, 32a of thebase, and holes 86 through the pivot ears align with holes 33, 34 in thebase.

A rod 90 extends through aligned holes 33, 34, and 86, and this rodprovides a horizontal pivot axis substantially paralleling thelongitudinal axis of the barge about which the column may pivot. Thecolumn may be laid down on the deck of the barge toward the midline ofthe barge by tipping it over, with pivoting about the axis provided byrod 90. Two stanchions are shown in such a laid down position, inFIG. 1. Removable cotter pins 91 are inserted through holes in oppositeends of rod 90, to limit relative axial movement of the rod in theholes.

Another pair of ears 92 are secured to and project downwardly fromopposite sides of an outboard portion of the bottom of the column (seeFIGS. 2, 3, and 5), and with the column in an upright position, theseears straddle end portions 30e, 32C of sides 30, 32 of the base. A pairof axially aligned holes 96 (shown in dotted outline in FIG. 5) areprovided through ears 92, and with the column in an upright position,holes 96 align with holes 35, 37 in the base. A pin 94, also referred toas a locking means, is removably inserted through aligned holes 35, 37,and 96 to releasably secure the column in an upright position. The pinhas an enlarged head at one end, and a cotter pin is inserted through ahole in its other end, to limit axial movement of the pin in the holes.Removal of pin 94 from the accommodating holes permits the column to belaid down on the deck.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, the base further includes a chainanchoring plate 100, also referred to as chain securing means, securedto deck 12 in an upright position within the confines of the walls ofbase 24. The chain anchoring plate has a pair of circular apertures 102extending therethrough adjacent the deck, and a pair of keyhole-shapedapertures 104 extending therethrough above the circular apertures (seeFIG. 2).

Referring still to FIG. 2, reaches of a pair of chains 108, 110 extendthrough the hollow passage deiined within the column. The lower end ofchain 108 is secured to chain-anchoring plate 100, by being extendedthrough one of the circular apertures 102, and thence upwardly andthrough one of keyhole apertures 104. A link adjacent the end of thechain is turned on edge and tits within the smaller portion of thekeyhole aperture to lock the end of the chain therein. The lower end ofchain 110 is similarly secured to the chain anchor plate. lChain 108extends upwardly from the chain anchoring plate through the entirelength of the stanchion and is payed out through the top of chainstowage box 70 and over the top of load 18. Chain 110 extends upwardlythrough a portion only of the stanchion, and projects outwardly from thecolumn through aperture 45 to overlie a lower portion of load 18.

Describing now the operation of the invention, with the column locked inan upright position, load 18, including packages such as those indicatedat A, B, C and D in FIGS. 2 and 3, are stacked on the deck of the bargeagainst the flat, vertical, inboard surface of a stanchion. In stackingthe load against the stanchion, packages A and B are first stacked oneon top of the other on the deck to form a first tier, and a reach ofchain 110 with its lower end secured to chain anchor 100 is extendedacross this iirst tier. Packages C and D are then placed on top ofpackage B, forming a second tier, with a space being provided betweenpackages B and C to accommodate movement of chain 110 therebetween. Areach of chain 108 with its lower end secured to chain anchor 100 ispayed out of the chain stowage box at the top of the stanchion andextended to overlie package D.

Tiers similar to those formed by packages A, B, C and D are then formedacross the deck of the barge until the space between an opposing pair ofstanchions has been completely filled. Chains similar to those indicatedat 108, 110 are payed out from the stanchion on the opposing side of thebar-ge and extended toward chains 108, 110 to overlie similar tiers ofpackages adjacent the opposing stanchion. The opposing chains may bedrawn together with a chain-tightening mechanism finally to secure theload. Chain-tightening mechanism which would be appropriate for thisfunction is disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,120,370. With the organizationcontemplated, the stanchions serve not only to position the packagesduring loading, but form an integral part of the structure serving tohold the load down and in place.

When a chain such as that indicated at 108 is not being used to tie downthe cargo on the deck, it may be stored in a collapsed state in thechain stowage box at the top of the column. To accomplish this a l-inkin the chain is turned on edge and is fitted into notch in the coverplate of the chain stowage box to secure the chain against being pulledby its own weight downwardly through the column. The slack expanse ofchain extending outwardly from the notch is then collapsed and depositedon bottom plate 72 of the stowage box. Similarly, a chain such as thatindicated at 110 which exits from the column through the aperture at themidregion of the column may be stowed within the stanchion by fittingone of its links edgewise in a notch provided in web member 64 andresting the slack expanse of chain extending outwardly from the notch ina collapsed state on web member 162.

To provide greater access for loading from the dock to the deck of thebarge, selected stanchions, which otherwise might extend above theelevation of the dock and impede the free ow of cargo, may be laid downon the deck, as indicated in FIG. 1. To lay down such a stanchion, pin94 which locks the column to the base is removed. The column is thenable to be pivoted about rod adjacent its inboard side until it is laiddown on the deck. The supporting forks on a lift truck or the line froma crane used in loading the barge may be used to ease the descent of thecolumn toward the deck. When it is desired to raise the column to anupright position, the forks of a lift truck may be inserted under thecolumn (or a line from a crane may be connected to its upper end) withthe column then being raised to an upright position by raising suchforks (or raising the line of the crane).

It should be noted that with the deck of the vessel unloaded allstanchions on the vessel may be laid down to decrease wind resistance onmoving the vessel. As a consequence, greater control may be exercisedover the vessel, and fuel economies are possible.

It will also be noted that the locking pin and pivot rod in eachstanchion securing the column to the Ibase may act as shear pins shouldthe load carried on the deck exert excessive forces laterally againstthe stanchion. The locking pin and the rod may thus be designed to failand release the column and load prior to damage occurring to deck andhull structure.

If it should become necessary to replace a column, complete removal ofsuch column from its associated base is accomplished simply by removingthe locking pin and pivot rod which connect the column to the base.

While an embodiment of the invention has been described herein, it isnot intended to be specifically limited to the structure disclosed.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In combination with a vessel having a deck with margins of the deckadjacent opposite sides of the vessel and on opposite sides of themidline of the vessel, a stanchion comprising a column disposed adjacenta margin of said deck having an upright position and bounded in thisposition by a substantially vertical inboard side which faces themidline of the vessel, pivot means adjacent said inboard side xedagainst axial displacement on the column and pivotally interconnectingthe base of the column to said deck, support means for the base of thecolumn which the column rests upon in its said upright position, saidpivot means accommodating inboard swinging of the column toward themidline of the vessel with the base of the column swinging from saidsupport means about said pivot axis, and locking means disposedoutwardly toward the side of the vessel from said pivot means releasablysecuring the column in its said upright position with the base of thecolumn resting on said support means.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said column is hollow with apassage extending through the length of the column, and which furthercomprises a chain having a reach which extends through said passage,means adjacent the top of the column for paying out said chain with suchextending inboard of the vessel, and anchoring means fixed to the deckof the vessel adjacent the base of the column having an end of the chainsecured thereto.

3. In combination with a deck, a stanchion comprising a column mountedon and in a position projecting upwardly from the deck and having apassage extending through its length,

a mounting for the bottom of the column comprising pivot meansinterconnecting the column to the deck accommodating laying down of thecolumn from said upwardly projecting position,

locking means releasably securing said column in said upwardlyprojecting position,

a chain having a reach which extends through said passage in the column,

anchoring means adjacent the bottom of the column having an end of thechain secured thereto, and

a chain stowage box adjacent the upper end of the column adapted toreceive and for stowing an expanse of said chain in a collapsed state.

4. The combination of claim 3, which further comprises a second chainhaving a reach which extends through a portion of said passage in thecolumn with an end of said second chain secured to said anchoring meansand wherein the column has an aperture extending through a side wall ofsaid column intermediate said chain stowage box and the bottom of thecolumn which permits extending said second chain out from said passageto the exterior of said column.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,805,872 5/1931 Jordan et al105-382 2,273,854 2/l942 Fitch 105-366 2,388,304 ll/l945 Ackerman et al.280-179 912,122 2/1909 Haley 105380 1,782,168 1l/l930 Joubert 105-3813,235,214 2/1966 Sprung 248-158 DRAYTON E. HOFFMAN, Primary Examiner10s-382, 248-158; 28o-179

